METS GET ZAMBRANO FOR TOP PROSPECT
The New York Mets acquired pitcher Victor Zambrano and minor-league pitcher Bartolome Fortunato from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for minor-league pitchers Scott Kazmir and Jose Diaz.
What does it give the New York Mets
On any given day, Zambrano could give the Mets either a terrific start or a mediocre start filled with walk after walk. He certainly won't be counted on to save the rotation, but will solidify the back end of it. He also comes with a pretty tiny contract and a few years left before they have to think about free agency. As for Fortunato, his prospect years have come and gone but he does give them a hard-throwing righty who could pop up from the minors at any time and give them some solid innings.
What does it give the Tampa Bay Rays
By landing Kazmir, the Rays stripped the Mets of their top overall prospect. The 15th overall pick of the 2002 draft, he's not a big guy but can bring the heat. When the 20-year-old southpaw combines that heat with a top-notch slider, he can be devastating and has been throughout his young minor-league career. Clearly, he's a very promising kid, currently baffling Double-A hitters, and could join the Tampa rotation as soon as next year. Diaz is a young righty not counted among the Mets' top prospects and has had big-time control problems next to Kazmir in the Double-A Bingham rotation. But he throws hard and may have future upside as a late reliever.
Fantasy impact
